Slug and Snail Control

FAQs

Are these pellets really wildlife and environmentally friendly?

Yes. The active ingredient, iron phosphate, also occurs in nature. Even if a bird, pet, hedgehog or earthworm does eat a pellet they will not be harmed. This is one of the main reasons why iron phosphate pellets are approved for use in organic gardening, are recommended by Which? Gardening and are the slug pellet of choice of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Please note that all plant protection products, such as slug pellets, have to include standard safety warnings on the packaging, which relates to keeping out of the reach of children and pets. This is a legal requirementand standard good practice.

Can your Slug & Snail Control pellets be used around vegetables?

Yes. The active ingredient, iron phosphate, also occurs in nature. This is one of the main reasons why iron phosphate pellets are approved for use in the organic production of vegetable crops. But it is sensible to remove any pellets that accidentally fall on the plants when you apply them.

How do your slug pellets work?

Once the pellets are eaten, the slug or snail feels unwell and immediately stops feeding. They then burrow underground to hide away and die out of sight, leaving no slime trails or unpleasant dead remains in the garden. This is different to the older, metaldehyde-based slug pellets.

How long do the slug pellets last in the garden?

It is difficult to give an exact time, as this depends on the weather, temperature and how many slugs and snails are active in the treated area.

But they last much longer in wet weather than the older metaldehyde-based pellets that you may have used in the past. And they are made by a different process than other organic pellets so last longer in wet conditions than those too. Our pellets to swell when moist and then contract back to their original size once dry. This ensures they remain attractive to slugs and snails for a long time, even in wet weather.

How long do the boxed pellets remain effective?

Provided you keep the Slug and Snail Control pellets in a cool, dry place, we recommend that you use them within a year.

What’s the best way to apply the pellets?

Spread them thinly on the soil around the plants to be protected, with a spacing of around 6-7cm apart. Please don’t simply spread a circle of pellets around individual plants, as that doesn’t provide sufficient protection.

How often should I apply them?

A number of factors affect the re-application rate. It depends how much it has been raining, how quickly the slugs and snails eat the pellets as well as the number of slugs and snails in the vicinity. As a guide, reapply the pellets once the original application begins to disappear.

How do I know that the pellets are working?

If the pellets seem to be disappearing soon after application, it means that they are being eaten by the slugs and snails. The other – and most important – tell-tale sign is that your plants and seedlings don’t show any signs of being attacked!

What happens to the pellets that aren’t eaten?

After some weeks (depending on weather conditions), they break down and decompose into nutrients that will help feed your plants.

I’ve seen birds eating the pellets. Why is this and will it cause them any harm?

The pellets contain cereal-based carriers, and when natural food supplies are low, birds may eat them on occasion. They won’t do the birds any harm and there’s no other way of applying them to stop the birds eating them.

Are the pellets safe if pets eat them?

Unlike the traditional pellets made from metaldehyde which can be harmful even in low quantities, pets would have to eat a huge number of our pellets to be harmed (multiple boxes), and the chances are they’d only have a stomach upset. If the pellets are sprinkled sparingly, as per the pack instructions, it’s unlikely that any pet could eat big quantities of our pellets.